They were once among President Obama's most loyal supporters and a potent symbol of his political brand:
voters of moderate means who dug deep for the candidate and his message of hope
and change, sending him $10 or $25 or $50 every few weeks or months.

But in recent months, the frustration and disillusionment that have dragged down
Mr. Obama's approval ratings have crept into the ranks of his vaunted
small-donor army, underscoring the challenges he faces as he seeks to rekindle
grass-roots enthusiasm for his re-election bid.